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THE FOUR EVILS MAN SHOULD ESCHEW
Dt. 03-11-1982
The term 'Dharma' represents discipline, mental as well as physical, and is relevant to both external and internal piety. It does not mean just conducting rituals and ceremonies, offering worship and prayers, observing fasts and undertaking pilgrimage. 'Internal' Dharma is control of anger, shedding of pride, refraining from harbouring desire (greed) and getting rid of malice.
propensities within', have been named as Kashayas by Jain Thirthankars. To drive them away is a true Dharma. Any aspirant who conquers them will be entitled to regain the original nature of the soul which gets entangled in Karmas. He may or may not do owtward exercises like praying or chanting. The soul has certain attributes but under the influence of Karma, it cannot experience them. Any activity, therefore, with a desire to acquire knowledge of one's own nature is Dharma too.
A person may be inclined to be charitable but if his lure for money is not curbed it is no good. He may fast for months together but if he fails to keep himself cool, losing his temper often, he will not be considered to be possessing 'inward Dharma'. Similarly, he may pray for hours but it is deceitful, it will not help to avert re-births. Again, he may serve the poor but if he displays his ego his service will be futile.
Silence of Service and Service of Silence,
both are pleasure of Life.
It has accordingly appeared to me that a study of Indian philosophy is not complete without study of Jains' contribution to it.
Self-introspection, at every step, of outward religious practices is needed without which a religion may become 'Sick?, Acharya Vikramsuriji said in a discourse. Anger and the other three
- H. B. Bhattacharya
